BJP MP Sambit Patra on Sunday launched a scathing attack on RJD leader and Bihar’s Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, after Yadav alleged that his Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number had been changed and his name removed from the draft voter list.
Patra claimed that the controversy reveals Tejashwi may have held two EPIC numbers, accusing him of attempting to “mislead voters” and “defame India.” “This means he had two EPIC numbers… did he have two voter IDs?” Patra asked at a press conference, adding, “Congress and RJD are conspiring to discredit the Election Commission.”
The BJP leader cited official clarifications from the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Patna District Magistrate, which confirmed that Tejashwi’s name appears at Serial Number 416 in the draft electoral roll, using the same EPIC number he submitted during the 2020 elections.
He also questioned, “If the top leader has two EPIC numbers, what would be the situation of the common party workers?” and accused Congress-RJD of being “afraid” of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list because it disrupted their past reliance on booth capturing.
The ECI has refuted Tejashwi’s claims, stating his existing EPIC number (RAB0456228) is valid and on record. The second number (RAB2916120) was found to be non-existent, raising concerns it may be a forged or unofficial document.
“This is a fabricated narrative. His name is very much in the draft electoral roll. Any statement suggesting otherwise is false and misleading,” the ECI asserted.
On Saturday, Tejashwi Yadav had accused the Election Commission of removing his name and changing his EPIC number, calling the exercise “a conspiracy to cut names from the voter list.”
The ECI is continuing its investigation into the questionable second EPIC number. (ANI)